COMPARISON BETWEEN THE SOCKET SHIELD TECHNIQUE AND THE USE OF BIOMATERIALS IN CONTROLLING VESTIBULAR PLATE RESORPTION IN DENTAL IMPLANTS

Abstract

Preserving the vestibular bone plate after tooth extraction is one of the main challenges in implant dentistry, due to its direct impact on implant stability and the aesthetic results of oral rehabilitation. Given this problem, this scoping review study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Socket Shield technique and the use of biomaterials in preserving alveolar volume and controlling vestibular bone resorption in dental implants. The search was conducted in the PubMed database using specific descriptors and Boolean operators, with a time frame between 2015 and 2025. Initially, 265 studies were identified, of which 26 met the inclusion criteria after applying the PRISMA protocol. The Socket Shield technique, proposed by Hürzeler et al. (2010), demonstrated promising results in preserving vestibular bone thickness and maintaining gingival contour, especially in anterior aesthetic cases and in patients with a thin gingival biotype. In turn, the use of biomaterials—such as xenogeneic, allogeneic, and synthetic grafts—has shown ample scientific evidence of efficacy in maintaining the height and width of the alveolar ridge, with good clinical predictability and lower technical requirements. Studies indicate that the association between collagen membranes and collagenized biomaterials enhances ridge preservation and favors implant stability. It is concluded that both approaches present benefits and limitations, with the choice of the most appropriate method depending on the patient's anatomical and biological characteristics, the surgeon's experience, and the aesthetic objectives of the treatment. Current literature indicates the need for new randomized, long-term clinical studies to standardize protocols, reinforcing the importance of alveolar preservation in the predictability and success of implant-supported rehabilitations.